Match Thread vs. Wealdstone 14.09.21 [NL]

[jacobncfc]

Agreed, terrific interview - Charlie Slater’s questions as well as Sam’s answers.

It’s interesting to compare last night’s game with the corresponding one last season, when we won 3-0 and their goalkeeper was still the man of the match. We had 27 efforts on goal that night and I really thought we’d finally clicked. Little did I know that it would be one of the last good performances of the Ardley era.

I’m only basing this on the comments on here and radio coverage, so correct me if I’m wrong, but we really seem to be struggling to get the balance right at the moment. We’ve won the last two home games, but could just as easily have drawn or even lost them. From those who are watching the games, what do we need to do to start controlling games and beating teams more comfortably? Can we play Cal, Ruben, Cairo and Kyle in the starting XI and not be so vulnerable at the back? How do we play well for 90 minutes and not 30 or 45?

Finally, another terrific crowd last night. It may not always be noticeable on this board, but there really does seem to be a feelgood factor around Notts right now and entertainment almost guaranteed each week. Long may it continue.

I think we keep getting outnumbered and overrun in midfield. We’re an absolute nightmare for teams when we’ve got it and are attacking, but we are very easy to get at when we lose it. The defence and midfield has a tough job on at the best of times, the switch to 4-2-3-1 last night made that even more obvious IMO.

I’m not sure Palmer and Francis are physically imposing enough to play as what is basically a straight midfield two (when Roberts or Rodrigues are nominally playing there, they don’t do a lot without the ball). I wonder whether our best system might be three from Palmer, Francis, O’Brien and Vincent, with three from Wootton, Roberts, Rodrigues and Mitchell ahead of them.

[nw6pie]

I think we keep getting outnumbered and overrun in midfield. We’re an absolute nightmare for teams when we’ve got it and are attacking, but we are very easy to get at when we lose it. The defence and midfield has a tough job on at the best of times, the switch to 4-2-3-1 last night made that even more obvious IMO.

I’m not sure Palmer and Francis are physically imposing enough to play as what is basically a straight midfield two (when Roberts or Rodrigues are nominally playing there, they don’t do a lot without the ball). I wonder whether our best system might be three from Palmer, Francis, O’Brien and Vincent, with three from Wootton, Roberts, Rodrigues and Mitchell ahead of them.

I’d agree with that re the midfield four and the front four options. It’s interesting that Vincent isn’t even making the bench right now, because I’d be curious to see what a midfield of him, Francis and Palmer would be like, with Mitchell, Wootton and Roberts ahead of them.

[the_anticlough]

I’d agree with that re the midfield four and the front four options. It’s interesting that Vincent isn’t even making the bench right now, because I’d be curious to see what a midfield of him, Francis and Palmer would be like, with Mitchell, Wootton and Roberts ahead of them.

If we're going with a back 4 now, the old Terry Venables' England christmas tree formation seems like it would suit our players best. Or is IB playing this type of 4-3-3 already (I wasn't at the game)?

................Slocombe
Brindley...Lacey...Cameron...Taylor
..................Francis
.........Palmer.........Rodrigues
....Roberts....Wootton.....Mitchell

And we have other players who can step into those roles...
Also hope that we don't completely abandon the 3-5-2...it would be great if we were adaptable and keep the opposition managers guessing by running it out every once in a while

[jacobncfc]

If we're going with a back 4 now, the old Terry Venables' England christmas tree formation seems like it would suit our players best. Or is IB playing this type of 4-3-3 already (I wasn't at the game)?

................Slocombe
Brindley...Lacey...Cameron...Taylor
..................Francis
.........Palmer.........Rodrigues
....Roberts....Wootton.....Mitchell

And we have other players who can step into those roles...
Also hope that we don't completely abandon the 3-5-2...it would be great if we were adaptable and keep the opposition managers guessing by running it out every once in a while

I think that’s an attacker too many - I want Rodrigues higher up the pitch and without any defensive responsibilities.

3-5-2 is our best system still I think. Imagine we’ll revert back to it Saturday. I’d like to see Nemane given a proper chance in the rwb role.

[the_anticlough]

I think that’s an attacker too many - I want Rodrigues higher up the pitch and without any defensive responsibilities.

3-5-2 is our best system still I think. Imagine we’ll revert back to it Saturday. I’d like to see Nemane given a proper chance in the rwb role.

I'd prefer him to have runners ahead of him, like Miller. He can play attacking midfielder. There is a slight issue with R and R in a front three, both are dribbler/creators and you need off-the-ball running around them

As for Nemane, I'd already given up on that or we would have seen more than 1 half (v 10 men) of it already
I assume IB has weighed this up and not liked what he's seen.
I think our staple, 'core' formation is now 4-3-3 because recruitment failed on the wing-backs (not surprising, it's tough).
It's going to set us back a fair bit getting used to a new system with new players but the fixture list buys a some time to bed it in